Kees is a pianist, singer, and music classroom teacher based in Armidale. Prior to turning to a musical career, Kees completed his Bachelor of Arts / Law at the University of New England. He has since returned to study education, with the goal of becoming qualified to teach Secondary Music in a classroom setting. Kees has completed Orff Schulwerk accreditation and applies this child-centred way of learning in his classroom programs. Most recently Kees was the musical director for the ADMS productions of both Les Miserables and Into the Woods. He was worked as a piano accompanist both at NECOM and across the Armidale school network for the last 6 years, and now is delighted to move into a role teaching piano and classroom programs at NECOM.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING AT NECOM?
The Conservatorium enables me to provide high quality education programs to a full range of students. I have thoroughly enjoyed my days teaching curriculum programs to partnered schools, and appreciated having a lot of support from NECOM in programming and pedagogy.
YOUR EARLIEST MUSICAL MEMORY IS…
I was part of a beginner recorder class pre-primary school, and I still remember going along to a group class. I have several memories of small local performances such as in the school fete from those first few years in primary school.
IF YOU COULD ONLY KEEP ONE PIECE OF MUSIC IN YOUR COLLECTION, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
One is too hard. Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending is outstanding and I never get tired of hearing soloists create a fresh interpretation. This also applies to Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor Op.64, and as I get a longer listening time overall I would probably take this one!